[BunnyNamedCraig]

It's end game for me with Utopia.
I can concentrating on my 2 channel setup now with 2 subs to fulfill my magnepan 3.7i.

Word

 

[Kenneth Tang]

  Great!
 
From this picture it says that this connector fits both the Elear and the Beyer:
 
Which again make me conclude that this cable will fit:
 
http://europe.beyerdynamic.com/shop/hah/accessories/connection-cable-audiophile-3m-balanced.html
 
Has anyone tried this cable with their Elear with any luck?

 
I agreed the TRS 3.5mm plug in your 1st picture (E3.5GT1) will fits into both ELEAR and Beyer T1/T5。However, I don't think the stock cable from Beyer will fit for ELEAR. Allow me to borrow your pictures and please check the red circles I have made. The E3.5GT1 has a smaller diameter at the circled point, which make it fits into ELEAR's socket. For the stocked Beyerdynamic cable, it looks to be too thick. Please note the positions of the circles I have made in both picture are more or less the same. And I remembered somebody here just confirmed the Beyer cable doesn't fit Elear maybe weeks ago.
 

 

 

[Kenneth Tang]

  After reading a massive amount of posts it still remain unclear to me which aftermarket balanced cable with 4-pin male XLR and 2x 3.5mm TS male jack that fits the Elear 'PlugNPlay', meaning no DIY work or adapter involved and no fitting issues on the house-connector side, whatsoever.
It is a bit tiresome to spend such amount of time on getting this right!
At least Focal could make or standardize on a Lemo adapter that fits a stock type cable
What I am looking for is a 'one-click order' and no messing around anymore with this issue.

I have been searching for the same cable for weeks.
I am not sure whether I violate the forum rules if I post a direct link here. Go to google and search blue dragon cable. This is the cheapest balanced cable I found for ELEAR with one-click order with the following options: (but not cheap indeed) 

I haven't tried since I didn't get my balanced amp yet. Therefore I still can not guarantee  this cable really fit or not. But looks very secure since they offer a so called Black dragon cable for ELEAR  at a higher price. You can also check on that.
A little bit off topic. I am waiting your comments on jotunheim and mojo paired with Elear before I can make my decisions on amp.

 

[gr8soundz]

Or you can just use these to fit any 3.5mm connectors:
 
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016HKUSP8
 

 
A little long but if these don't fit nothing will.
 
I use them on my T1.2 to connect a pure silver Surf Cable I originally had made for my Sony Z7s.
 

 

[moemoney]

I have been searching for the same cable for weeks.
I am not sure whether I violate the forum rules if I post a direct link here. Go to google and search blue dragon cable. This is the cheapest balanced cable I found for ELEAR with one-click order with the following options: (but not cheap indeed) 


I haven't tried since I didn't get my balanced amp yet. Therefore I still can not guarantee  this cable really fit or not. But looks very secure since they offer a so called Black dragon cable for ELEAR  at a higher price. You can also check on that.
A little bit off topic. I am waiting your comments on jotunheim and mojo paired with Elear before I can make my decisions on amp.

I don't know if this will help but the Sony Z7 and the Elears can use the same plugs to the headphone. I know because I have both.

 

[Frode Roed]

   
I agreed the TRS 3.5mm plug in your 1st picture (E3.5GT1) will fits into both ELEAR and Beyer T1/T5。However, I don't think the stock cable from Beyer will fit for ELEAR. Allow me to borrow your pictures and please check the red circles I have made. The E3.5GT1 has a smaller diameter at the circled point, which make it fits into ELEAR's socket. For the stocked Beyerdynamic cable, it looks to be too thick. Please note the positions of the circles I have made in both picture are more or less the same. And I remembered somebody here just confirmed the Beyer cable doesn't fit Elear maybe weeks ago.
 

 

Thanks for your elaborate answer, Kenneth.
I can appreciate that Focal won't give any specific recommendations on cable supplier, however given the fact that they do not produce one themselves, the least they are obliged to do is making a comparison table of suitable ones, IMO.
When I get the Jotunheim the only thing I can report back on is unbalanced operation as it seems.
 
PS:
I have been studying the Moon Dragons for a while and they are definitively on my watch list.
Does anyone knows what cable Tyll is using for the Elears?
 
 
Post note:
Also;
https://www.moon-audio.com/black-dragon-premium-cable-for-focal-elear-headphones-v2.html
https://www.moon-audio.com/silver-dragon-premium-cable-for-focal-elear-headphones-v3.html
https://www.moon-audio.com/blue-dragon-headphone-cable-v3.html
 
How can we know that these cables come with only 1off 4-pin connector and that this one is terminated fully balanced?
Are the phase polarities correct, given that the connectors seem to use mini TRS opposed to only mini-TS?
These things should be easy, however instead they are confusing and easy to mess up if you are not pedantic about it.   

 

[Quinto]

Is the tone of the elear natural? Does it portray instruments and voice realistically? A couple of years ago, I had the chance to listen to the hd800, I thought they were very detailed, but they sounded thin and artificial to me. The hd800 are very very capable, but my interest for them faded right away after my first listen. I can't audition the elear before placing an order online, so as many here, it will be a blind purchase. It is very important to me that a headphone has a natural tone to it. I hope someone that already have the elear can give me an insight here. Thanks!

bump for an interesting question

 

[TMRaven]

They have a sudden drop at 4khz, and a bass that's slightly over-emphasized.  I'd consider the hd800's bass to midrange more natural sounding, however its high end makes the treble components of instruments a little too emphasized depending on the recording.

 

[Frode Roed]

I sent this mail to Moon Audio today:
I have a few questions that needs clarification prior to ordering a Dragon cable for my Focal Elear headphones.

The candidates are here:
https://www.moon-audio.com/black-dragon-premium-cable-for-focal-elear-headphones-v2.html
https://www.moon-audio.com/silver-dragon-premium-cable-for-focal-elear-headphones-v3.html
https://www.moon-audio.com/blue-dragon-headphone-cable-v3.html

My questions are as follows:
1) Taking for granted that the mini-jack physically fits the properitary locking insert in the cans, are those mini-TRS or mini-TS (mono) like the original one? (I reckon it is not Eidolic E3.5GT1 mini-jack that is used?)
2) Are the cable tested for channel and phase polarity?
3) When the (ordered) single 4-pin male plug is terminated in the amp end (Shiit Jotunheim), is the Dragon defined as a full blown balanced cable with all pins connected?

Kind regards, >

- and got the following reply:
Either 2 pole or 3 pole connectors can be used. As long as it is terminated properly. We use a 3 pole Oyaide connector. Cables are built and tested in house. The wire is true balanced. The connector determines if the wire is used in balanced or single ended mode. A 4 pin XLR is a balanced connector.

Thank You.

So, the response is as expected and should be all OK, I assume.

The plug is probably this one: http://www.oyaide.com/ENGLISH/AUDIO/products_category/etcplug/pg523.html

 

[joeq70]

They have a sudden drop at 4khz, and a bass that's slightly over-emphasized.  I'd consider the hd800's bass to midrange more natural sounding, however its high end makes the treble components of instruments a little too emphasized depending on the recording.

I agree about the Elear treble containing some overly emphasized components in songs. Not a deal breaker for me, but it is notable. I disagree about the bass being over-emphasized. The HD800S is probably more natural sounding overall even with its massive soundstage, since the Elear has an unusual soundstage, too. It's almost like having speakers mounted to one's head. Kind of hard to really describe--just have to try it.

Edit: Just realized you were saying the HD800 has these forward treble spots, not the Elear. I actually think there is an upper midrange/lower treble shout to the Elear than I didnt not notice in the HD800S.

 

[MidFiMoney]

Not sure how many of you are still looking for cables but I had one built by LQi Cables on eBay. I contacted them and had them modify the cable in this listing: 
 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/172089182772?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
 
I asked them to use the PlusSound connectors as opposed to their own because I preferred the look of the PlusSound connectors. I also had the cable terminated with a straight 2.5mm TRRS balanced connection and had them make a 2.5mm TRRS to 3.5mm TRS adapter (just like the one for my Fidue Sirius). The PlusSound connectors and the adapter pushed the price up to $220. Otherwise, the cable would have only been $150. This is the second cable I purchased from them and again, I am very satisfied and feel the price is justified. I should also mention that is was only a one day turnaround after they got the connectors from PlusSound.
 
I haven't done an A/B comparison between this and the stock cable yet but the sound seems a little wider and more musical. It could be a honeymoon effect though. Eitherway, I'm never using the stock cable again 

 

 

[Mbeeching]

Kind of hard to really describe--just have to try it.

I also find it quite difficult to describe, I may have to attempt an illustration!
To my ears the tonality of the music sounds like digital vinyl, if that makes any sense?
 
I still want to audition an LCD-2 and HD800 just to put my mind at ease. I'm not entirely sure my (incredibly positive) opinions of the Elear can be fully justified without comparisons to these two highly regarded headphones.

 

[siwolfman]

Why not just cut to length and reterminate the stock cable? Not to get into a cable debate, but I doubt Focal used a subpar cable sonically.

If you want something different though, many have said silver cables are a nice compliment.

+1

 

[BunnyNamedCraig]

Hearing an HD800 for the first time was "ok". I thought it had wide sound stage and a lot of separation. Around that same time I was hooked onto audeze (which I still enjoy the sound today). Then I got to hear the HD800 on a set up that really made them shine and it is truly a unique experience. The Amp I heard it on that had good synergy was the liquid carbon and the dac was the theta pro basic II. I think you really should try and hear one MB. Just hope that your experience is a lot closer to my second one.

 

[Headphone4Life]

I'm ordering a pair of Elear's tomorrow but I was wondering how long on average do they take to ship. I'll be getting them from either Moon Audio or Headphones.com. Headphone said they'll have more in stock in early October so I thought they should have some by now. Anyhow, I just hope its not weeks before I get them.